It was the day of the first rains in Pune this monsoon season.
Wife kept saying let's not go out, had some important work to be done and hence under much protest we finally were out. The important work did not get done due to a jam up in the machine that accepts the cheques. So was back to square one. Just got back in the car and it started to pour cats and dogs.
I usually park the car with the nose facing the other way, but this time it was pointing home. Not paying attention to that clue. I took a U-Turn and headed towards MG Rd. And then it happened 10 minutes later. we were stationery and a good 3 seconds later a tempo swerves left and then right and then it happened *BANG* and Chicca was not the same as before.
I called up active Team-BHPian and dear friend @dot and informed him of what happened. and even though he didn't have a vehicle at the time and was already almost home which is way out of the way. He arranged a ride through a friend and came all the way down to the police station to help out with matters. and mind you it was raining at the time. He even drove us and Chicca back home and just told me to get in the back and relax. Don't know how to thank you for this buddy. Thanks for being there and ofcourse a big Thank You to your friend too, for coming down all the way.
I am attaching a few pictures that were taken the following morning.
Damage is clearly visible.
But one thing to point out is the dent between the rear bumper and the fuel lid. This was also caused by the rear ended hit.
So the following morning i drove Chicca to the ASC.
Was greeted by a familiar face our regular SA. He really helped throughout the whole ordeal and i felt comfortable with him handling things.
But the insurance claim and estimate was to be handled by someone else. Though very efficient i was not to happy when we told me that i would have to pay 30% for metal parts. Somehow was not too comfortable with this guy and felt at the back of my head that i might be taken for a ride by this guy.
Anyway he noted down details of the accident and i had to sign a few papers etc. and then he said the surveyor will come down and pass all that was necessary.
So i left it at that.
A few days past and still not estimate, no clue as to when Chicca would come home.
Till then i was on the Honda Service and Maintenance thread asking questions on costs and insurance matters too. The folks over on the Honda thread really helped me a lot and i had some idea as to what i would have to pay. Taking the higher side of things i estimated i would have to pay 10 Thousand at max. Which was ok with me.
The next day called up our known SA and he said he will find out what progress has taken place. He then called me back within 30 minutes and informed me that the estimate for the work is 70 Thousand and that i would have to pay around 25 Thousand.
That was a ride shock. So i promptly asked him to e-mail me the estimate. He said he will ask the guy who handled the insurance to send it. After about 30 minutes our known SA calls back and informs that the insurance handler is on leave and that he will send it first thing tomorrow morning. Ofcourse i found this rather suspicious and decided that i would pay a surprise visit the very next morning.
The next morning as i had decided i just popped into the ASC. Yes i did take them by surprise. But the estimate was ready and he promptly removed a folder in which the estimate was filed. He took me through the estimate which included parts that would most likely not need to be replaced. I pointed these out to him. His reply was that he has asked the surveyor to include all items and those that need not be replaced will be used from the old setup. Such as Boot locks, boot striker etc. and that whatever is not replaced will be subtracted from the final bill.
He said that for plastic parts i would have to pay 50%
and for the metal parts 15% plus 10% salvage.
There is a big question mark on the 10% Salvage.
Any light on this 10% Salvage would be helpful.
I am including a scan of the estimate, please advise if all looks well. The "M" before the serial numbers are metal parts as pointed out by the Honda guy. and the rest are plastic parts.
He said full labour will be borne by the Insurance company except section E which i will have to pay 50% of. Any clarification on this would also be appreciated.
Would appreciate views on whether this estimate seems in order.
The guy who handled the insurance showed me the order of the parts to Honda and the total in his order placed showed Rs. 48,000/-
He said that the parts will be dispatched by air and as soon as the parts arrive in the stock. he would open up the car and get the work done.
He said approx 4-6 days of work after he receives the parts.
So still looking at 10 odd days here before she comes home. Isn't that a bit too long?
Would like to but in a little list here at the end of the people i would like to thank.
@dot - Thanks for your support throughout the whole ordeal, and for taking my calls and patiently listening to me while i rant on about the whole episode.
@alto99 for the bootlid cost in 2010.
@guderian For his inputs on the bootlid and confirming a replacement.
@laluks for the bootlid and rear bumper costs. as well as the Tail light and logo costs.
@hiren.mistry for his inputs on the damage and understanding my OCCD.
@smartcat for his opinion on the tail light damage.
@gaurav_chopra04 for his inputs on damage, as well as clarifying insurance issues.
@spadix for his inputs on damage and support.
Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.